An invitation to snowshoeing in the "great white", in the highest inhabited valley of Europe and under the sun of the Southern Alps. By the end of the summer, everything becomes calmer, the animals put on their winter coats and the chimneys smoke in the villages. On the program: adapted secure routes and comfortable accommodation in the heart of hamlets and villages typical of the massif. What to make the most of the pleasure of snowshoeing in freedom.
Elective departure from December 15, 2023 to April 14, 2024
With luggage transport (except day 4)
430€ per person, classic accommodation
510€ per person, comfortable accommodation (room of 2 pers. except at the Refuge de la Blanche) (sheets and towels not provided)
640€ per person, hotel version (one night in refuge, in dormitory of 2).
Optional:
Information and booking by phone or email.
Includes:
Does not include:
The price refers to the meeting point to the dispersion point.
INSTALLATION - PRESENTATION OF THE STAY
Go to the accommodation to drop off your luggage (rooms available from 15:30). Stroll in the Arvieux valley, visit of the Queyras toy cooperative... At 6pm, a guide will come to give you information on mountain safety (mandatory session).
ARVIEUX - SHOES
Departure on snowshoes, direction the pastoral hamlet of Souliers. By a wide and well secured track, quiet climb among a centenary melezin. Magnificent views of the Guil valley allow to observe the hamlets suspended on the valley and Fort Queyras. Stop at the hamlet of Souliers and its cottage renowned for a well deserved break, remember to book for lunch. Return by a balcony path to Arvieux.
4h to 6h walk/ Altitude difference: +500; - 500 m
AIGUILLES - PRATS-HAUTS - SAINT-VÉRAN
After a short transfer to Aiguilles, ascended by a succession of suspended hamlets, until Saint-Véran... the highest village in Europe! Via a route in the forest, where it will not be uncommon to cross chamois and deer, crossing the first hamlets, Prats-Bas and Prats-Hauts, where the sun begins to show its generosity. Then cross in balcony, on an old watering channel, to the remarkable village of Saint-Véran. Note, if the weather is uncertain or if you want to shorten the walking time, possibility of transfer to Prats-Hauts rather than Aiguilles, which divides the length of the step by two.
5.30 hours walk / Altitude difference: +550 /- 50 m
SAINT-VERAN - REFUGE DE LA BLANCHE
From Saint-Véran, head to a mountain refuge to spend an unforgettable night. Along the Aigue Blanche, enter the valley of the Blanche, dominated by the fabulous Tête des Toillies. The refuge is right at the foot, in summer it is bordered by a beautiful small lake. In good weather and in complete safety, possibility to climb to the border pass of Saint-Véran (2900 m) to enjoy an extraordinary view of the Italian piedmont (+ 1h30). There is no luggage transportation that day, you only take your kit for the night (if you do not want to take this option, possibility of spending an extra night in Saint-Véran, a replacement hike will be proposed).
3.30 hours walk/ Altitude difference: +550 m
REFUGE DE LA BLANCHE - SAINT VÉRAN
Departure from the refuge and descent to the chapel Notre-Dame de Clausis then by the wide trail of the mine to Saint-Véran, the highest village in Europe. Free time to visit this beautiful village full of history. Transfer to Arvieux if you came by car, by shuttle from Saint-Véran if you came by train.
3h walk/ Altitude difference: - 500 m
Elevation : +/- 500m
8 to 12 km per day
The tour has been developed along with our local partners who are very mindful about organising an authentic journey.
Several options:
Classic accomodation: collective room (dormitory) from 4 to 12 people, sheets and towels not provided, sanitary on the landing.
Lodging comfort in cottage: room of 2 people, sheets and towels not provided, sanitary on the landing.
Comfort accommodation in hotel: room for 2 people, sheets and towels provided, private bathrooms.
Night 1: Gite d'étape la Teppio or Hotel*** la Ferme de l'Izoard according to the chosen formula,
Night 2: Gite d'étape la Teppio or Hotel*** la Ferme de l'Izoard according to the chosen formula,
Night 3: Gite les Gabelous or hotel la Baïta du Loup or hotel le Grand Tetra according to the chosen formula,
Night 4: Refuge de la Blanche
The meals served in the accommodation are balanced and varied. The kitchen is hearty, adapted to the needs of hikers and often made from local products. Special arrangements must be specified in the booking so that we can notify the accommodation.
Picnics can be booked by us with accommodation, otherwise you will find shops in the villages. You can also book them directly with the hosts, on your arrival, for the next day.
Before your departure we give you a road book specially designed for this circuit, composed of precise indications that will allow you to carry out your days of discovery and hiking in complete freedom. To fully enjoy and enjoy your hiking trip, you must be able to ensure your autonomy in the field with the documents provided.
Your hiking record will be mailed to you upon receipt of payment of the balance of your stay. It includes:
Be able to easily walk 15 km (in plain) in 3 hours maximum.
If this is not the case, within three weeks of departure, 2 to 3 times a week, we advise you to start a good workout: 4 to 5 km of jogging or 3 to 4 hours of hiking or cycling. Your physical preparation will facilitate your stay and allow you to enjoy it all the more.
If you come by car, the reception is directly at your accommodation in Arvieux (address communicated on your summons). If you come by train, the reception is in the day at the bus station of Ville Vieille (call 04.92.46.71.72, 1 hour before your transfer). If you want to be able to hike on the first day, the ideal is to arrive by night train.
Night train: line from Paris (Gare Austerlitz) to Montdauphin-Guillestre, runs every day of the year (trains sometimes have a late display: often within 3 weeks before departure). From the station of Montdauphin-Guillestre to Molines - route de Saint-Véran, connection with regular shuttles Zou my southern region. We will come with a private shuttle pick you up in Molines to bring you to the accommodation.
Day train from Paris to Montdauphin (you will have to arrive the day before or miss the hike on the 1st day):
TGV line from Paris gare de Lyon to Valence, then TER line from Valence to Montdauphin-Guillestre. For late afternoon arrivals until 18:30: from Montdauphin-Guillestre station to Ville Vieille bus station, connection with regular shuttles Zou my southern region, we will come with a private shuttle pick you up at Ville Vieille to take you to the accommodation .
Material for snowshoeing (snowshoes and poles) is provided. However, if you have your own and would like to use them you are free to do so. Avalanche safety equipment including (transceiver, shovel and probe) is also provided.
Clothing
- Waterproof ski or winter walking trousers
- Wind stopper or Goretex jacket
- Breathable or merino wool t-shirts
- Breathable or merino wool leggings
- Fleece or jumper
- Insulating down jacket
- 2 pairs of ski gloves and a warm hat
- Walking socks (1 pair per day)
- Sturdy waterproof walking boots
Other Equipment
- Rucksack minimum 35 litre capacity
- Sunglasses and ski mask
- Sun cream
- Water bottle or Camelback (1.5 litre minimum)
- Knife, fork and spoon
- Plastic lunch box/plate for your picnic lunches
- Plastic cup for coffee
- Small First Aid kit (antihistamine, ibuprofen, Compeed type blister pads...)
- Survival blanket
- Identity card or passport
You must pack all of your belongings in 2 bags: 1 backpack and 1 travel bag.
The backpack:
Hiking backpack of about 35 liters, it will be useful for transporting your personal belongings during the day (warm clothes, water bottle, picnic, sun protection, identity papers, camera, binoculars , etc.)